Ah, dating; it is the daunting task that so many of us face at one point or another in our lives. The prospect of dating alone can be frightening and overwhelming, yet exciting and filled with possibilities, all at the same time. However, we must set-up a date before we can even conceive of these emotions. And, for many people, finding someone to date can be the most difficult element of it all. In today’s world of technological wonders, it is easier than ever to find a date.
For those of us who are not intimidated by the technology of today, there are a plethora of websites dedicated to connecting us with the companion of our dreams. Although we should use common sense and take caution anytime we communicate online, there are a number of reputable websites that we can access. Most impressively, many of these sites use questionnaires and interest inventories to match us with other individuals with similar traits. Although there are still some who attach stigma to the utilization of such websites, they are invaluable resources where we have an opportunity to discover the person of our dreams, which we otherwise may have never met.
Another cyber-based means of finding an appropriate date is to utilize one or more of the social networking websites. Although these sites are not dedicated to matching us with our fantasy date, they can serve as an excellent place to meet new people, one of which we may find to be “the one”. These sites allow us the opportunity to build a website where we can fully disclose who we are as individuals, what we enjoy and what we detest, as well as outline the values and morals that are most important to us. And, the biggest benefit here is that we can exclude identifying information that may allow undesirable individuals from becoming potential stalkers.
By using these web-based resources, we expand our pool of potential suitors into an ocean of probable mates. Even though we may reject several of the individuals we find by using these websites, we can still build friendships with them. These friendships then enlarge our social base, which can also lead us to discovering the perfect partner. By putting ourselves out there in the cyber world, we are exposing ourselves to the entire world and can do so in a safe, secure approach.
Dating
Common dating
Time and time again, it has been said that common interests are some of the most important things in a relationship. Married couples often talk about the activities that brought them together, which are the same activities that help to keep their relationships strong. In the world of dating, these similarities can serve as the foundation for a friendship, which can certainly lead to a romantic relationship. We can utilize this knowledge as a strategy for finding an appropriate date, who has the potential to be our perfect mate.
First of all, we should sit down and make a list of our hobbies, interests and things we find most intriguing. In doing this, we should consider our beliefs and values and how these can also be communicated through our activities. For example, by volunteering at the church clothing drive, we send the message that we enjoy humanitarian activities and that our church and religion are significant to us. It is certainly important for us to be able to give a potential date this information up front in order to avoid “dead end dating”.
Next, we can translate this list into locations and events where others with these same interests may be present. We can take more initiative to attend the art gallery opening of its newest collections, become a member of a local bowling league or take the time to volunteer at the neighborhood soup kitchen. It is necessary for us to be involved in such social activities in order to meet new people. Once there, it is only a matter of mingling, building new friendships and making conversation with those we find intriguing.
This idea is comparable to that of many dating websites, which utilize interest inventories and values surveys. These websites take our collective responses to these questionnaires and match us with someone who answered similarly. Many of these websites have cost associated with their use, but they can be a valuable resource in times when our socializing efforts have failed. It is important to recognize that we can meet people we would have never otherwise met through the use of these dating sites.
In the dating world, it is integral that we take the time to consider our interests and values prior to seeking a potential partner. These techniques save us a lot of time and heartache, as they keep us from dating someone that lacks common interests with us. We can also open up to the idea of dating websites, recognizing their potential and putting the stigma of times past aside. In doing these things, we can be well on our way to discovering our perfect mate.